Serbian and Greek atrocities against Albanians of Diber and Southern Albania (1912-1921)

by Fatos Daci. Translation Petrit Latifi

Summary:
The text describes the Serbian massacres committed in the Dibër (Debar) region between 1912 and 1921, particularly during and after the 1913 uprising against Serbian occupation. It details widespread atrocities carried out by Serbian forces — including mass killings, torture, looting, and the burning of villages — amounting to what the author calls genocide against the Albanian population. Over 2,600 houses were burned, nearly 1,400 civilians (men, women, and children) were killed, and more than 20,000 people were displaced.

Villages across Upper and Lower Dibër, from Bulqiza to Lura, suffered destruction, theft of livestock, and the killing of entire families. Similar destruction by Greek forces in southern Albania is also mentioned. The report concludes with official statistics of losses and exiles, highlighting the extreme human and material devastation inflicted on the Albanian population during this period.

Serbian Massacres in Debar (1912–1921)

1. Historical Context

The massacres occurred during and after the General Uprising of Debar (1913) against Serbian occupation.
The period of violence extended from 1912 to 1921, during which Debar and surrounding regions faced:
- Invasions by Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Greece.
- Systematic massacres and destruction.
The violence is described as a genocide against the Albanian population of Debar.

2. Overview of Atrocities (1913)

Regions affected: Upper and Lower Debar, from Golloborda to Reç, Bulqiza to Kala i Dodës.
Extent of destruction:
- 88 villages attacked.
- 35 villages completely looted.
- 35 villages completely burned.
- 1,346 buildings burned, including 1,278 houses and 68 huts.
Human casualties:
- 986 people killed.
- 844 bayoneted to death.
- 27 women and 16 children killed.
- Several cases of entire families killed together.
Atrocities committed:
- People burned alive (men, women, and children).
- Looting of money, livestock, and valuables.
- Public executions and torture.

3. Displacement and Looting

Displaced persons: Approximately 20,000.
Livestock looted:
- 12,496 sheep
- 5,899 goats
- 1,466 cows
- 1,256 bulls
- 702 horses
- 48 donkeys
- 30 mules
- Total: 21,897 animals

4. Comparative Atrocities in Other Regions

Greek forces (1913–1914):
- Burned and destroyed 116 villages across southern Albania:
  - Gjirokastra & Kurvelesh: 28
  - Tepelena: 29
  - Përmet: 26
  - Korça: 14
  - Kolonjë: 19
Austrian and Bulgarian forces: Sporadic similar cases reported.

5. Eyewitness and Investigative Reports

A European envoy conducted a detailed investigation 8 months after the massacres.
His report documented killings, lootings, and burnings village by village.

6. Detailed Village Accounts

Below are condensed examples from the exhaustive list (full details maintained in original text):

Resnje, Zavu, Bukovë

500–600 people killed.
Several individuals robbed of money (e.g., Shaqir Jegenolli, Sefedin Aga).

Valikardhe

Public bayoneting of villagers to terrorize population.
Victims: Ymer Halili, Osman Shira, Qerim Zeneli, Ismail Alushi, Sulë Hoxha.

Sopot

Entire village looted and burned.
Shepherds bayoneted; livestock stolen.

Shupenza

Whole village looted.
Victims: Ali Myslimi, his brother Abedin, Hasan Abazi, Dalip Elmaz.

Dibra e Madhe (City)

18 nobles executed without trial.
Widespread looting—over 1 million Turkish liras stolen.
Major destruction of homes and massacres of civilians.

Homesh, Okshatina, Topojan, Kovašica, Gjuras

Entire villages burned.
Hundreds killed; livestock seized.
In Kovašica, victims were bayoneted in front of their children.

Golevisht, Kërçisht, Bllatë, Zogjej, Maqellarë, etc.

Pattern repeated: looting, burning, executions.
Women and children among victims.
Livestock and crops stolen systematically.

7. Lower Debar Region

Massacres in Rabdisht, Zimur, Staravec, Tomi, Dohoshisht, Luzni, and others.
Widespread burning of houses and mosques.
Children and women thrown alive into fires.
Thousands of livestock stolen.
Hundreds killed by bayonet, fire, or strangulation.

8. Golloborda Region

Also targeted for resistance against invaders.
Villages such as Okshtun, Steblevë, Zabzun, and Gjinovac saw:
- Mass killings by bayonet and gunfire.
- Victims included entire families.
- Many later declared “Martyrs of the Homeland.”

9. Casualty Statistics (1912–1921)

Total deaths: 1,394
- 713 men
- 403 women
- 278 children
Methods of killing:
- Stabbed: 263 men, 69 women, 75 children (407 total)
- Shot: 341 men, 78 women, 65 children (484 total)
- Burned alive: 109 men, 256 women, 138 children (503 total)

10. Displacement & War Losses

Exiles from Debar: 55,068
- Women: 23,348
- Children (1–10 years): 10,844
Deaths from wounds/disease:
- 192 children (wounds)
- 589 children (disease)
- 363 women (wounds)
- 1,245 women (disease)

11. Material and Economic Damage (1912–1920)

Category	Quantity
Burned houses	2,657
Corn & wheat destroyed (kg)	9,535,880
Shops destroyed	95
Mills destroyed	83
Glassworks	25
Tekkes (religious sites)	5
Cattle taken	54,880
Horses	1,327
Cows	4,546
Sheep & goats	49,007

12. Conclusion

The events in Debar (1912–1921) represent one of the gravest episodes of ethnic violence in the Balkans of the early 20th century. Testimonies and reports from the time describe systematic massacres, arson, looting, and forced displacement of Albanian civilians by Serbian forces. The violence is characterized by mass killings, destruction of settlements, and deliberate targeting of non-combatants, particularly women and children.